A Population Full of Mystery
They lived on the hills of Tuscany, they produced wonderful vases, which were often equal in quality and beauty to the Greek ones, they had their own language and writing – nevertheless, much is still not known about the Etruscans. From where did this people come from, which founded the first cities in 800 B.C. and were integrated into the overpowering Roman Empire in around 300 A.D.?
Science is still divided today. Some experts say that the Etruscans emigrated from Lydia in Asia Minor (today southern Turkey) around 1000 B.C. to the region of Tuscany. Many indicators support this theory, for example linguistic parallels to the Lydian language. The Etruscan writing, due to missing comprehensive testimony still not completely deciphered (only 150 vocabulary are known), may also originate from an early Greek alphabet.
Or, did the population originate autochthonously? Is Etruscan a Pre-Indo-European language and the parallels to the Greek and Phoenician cultures only originate from the vivid trade in the Mediterranean Sea where the Etruscans actively participated.
There is no absolute certainty about this. What exists are archaeological evidence showing how widely intertwined the cultural exchange was in 6th to 5th century B.C. Let’s look at the amazing terracotta sphinx, whose head is crowned by a diadem. The Greek influence is very obvious – although the protruding wings are missing, while the tail elevates on head level.
The today still gently smiling votive head dating to the late Etruscan period (3rd to 1st century) also reminds us of the Greek. It does not represent a certain person, but is considered to be a votive offering. Heads like these (ours is from the Prof. Ernst Zweymüller collection), were intended for the Gods, hoping for protection and healing from illnesses.
Last but not least I would like to draw your attention to an exceptionally beautiful bronze olpe. This vessel from the 5th century A.D. has a typical handle shaped in a zoomorphic form. Our piece from the Nina Borowski collection, Paris, depicts a moulting snake.
It almost stands symbolically for the Etruscans who were able to keep their unique identity over centuries. Until one city after the other was subjected by the Romans, until they almost disappeared without traces in the 1st century. Only their art has remained.
Sincerely yours,
Christoph Bacher